Hundreds of kids harmed by detergent ‘pods’

CHICAGO (AP/WOOD) — Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications.

The cases stem from the more than 17,000 poison center calls about the products received in the past two years. The calls involved children younger than 6 and most weren’t seriously harmed. But one child died last year and the potential risks highlight a need for even safer packaging, the researchers said.

West Michigan has had its own cases.

“We’ve seen kids who have had burns down their esophagus and have had to stay in the hospital for days at a time as these heal up, and rarely we see kids who become unconscious,” said Dr. Brad Riley, an emergency physician and medical toxicologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

He said eating the pods can lead to burns in the mouth and throat and that the only thing done is supportive care, not treatment.

“If they can’t eat, they get IVs placed to give them fluids,” he said.

Fortunately, Dr. Bradley said, serious cases are rare. He said most children come into the emergency room and are released shortly thereafter.

Still, he says prevention is critical. The cleaning industry released a survey last week showing…………… continues on WOODTV.com

CHICAGO — Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications.

The cases stem from the more than 17,000 poison center calls about the products received in the past two years. The calls involved children younger than 6 and most weren’t seriously harmed. But one child died last year and the potential risks highlight a need for even safer packaging, the researchers said.

Some manufacturers already have revised packaging and labels in efforts to make the detergent packets or “pods” safer for children. The study found calls dipped slightly after some of those changes were made.

The products contain concentrated liquid laundry soap and became widely available in the U.S. two years ago. Some are multicolored and may look enticing to young children. Poisoning or injuries including mouth, throat and eye burns can occur when kids burst the capsules or put them…………… continues on EMS1.com